Space game with piece and distance determining chance means

ABSTRACT

A game utilizing game pieces simulating space ships and movable by chance, relative to a playing surface having holes therein in regular rows, which holes are to receive and hold the game pieces. The pieces of each player&#39;&#39;s group are divided into red, white and blue subgroups. A color die and a number die indicate respectively the piece to be moved and the number of spaces. The pieces are so dimensioned that they touch when in adjacent holes and pointing toward each other.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Glenn Bischol' 2811 Wyndham, Orlando,Fla. 32808 [21] Appl. No 776,613 [22] Filed Nov. 18, 1968 [45] PatentedFeb. 23, 1971 54] SPACE GAME WITH PIECE AND DISTANCE DETERMINING CHANCEMEANS 6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. CI 273/134 [51] A63f3/04 [50]Field ofSearch 273/1 31 (BA), 134 (all), 137(AD) 56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,044,122 671936 Michener 273/134(CH) 2,239,7794/1941 Clark etal,

3,222,068 12/1965 Cowels 273/134(CB) 1,065,775 6/1913 Brewer 273/134(AC)3,414,264 12/1968 Schriber..... 273/134(AD) 3,433,483 3/1969 Ellis273/134(AD) FOREIGN PATENTS 430,249 6/1935 GreatBritain 273/134(EB)571,182 8/1945 GreatBritain 273/134(DB) Primary Examiner-Anton O.Oechsle Att0mey-Burns, Doane, Benedict, Swecker and Mathis ABSTRACT: Agame utilizing game pieces simulating space ships and movable by chance,relative to a playing surface having holes therein in regular rows,which holes are to receive and hold the game pieces. The pieces of eachplayers group are divided into red, white and blue subgroups. A colordie and a number die indicate respectively the piece to be moved and thenumber of spaces. The pieces are so dimensioned that they touch when inadjacent holes and pointing toward each other.

PATENTED FEB23 l9?! SHEET 2. OF

I NVEN TOR ATTORNI'IK5 $31, M MMWML;

PATENTEU FEB23 1971" sum 3 BF 3 IN VENT( )R G/V/V 5/5 CA/OF;

BY AM ATTORNHKS SPACE GAME WITH PIECE AND DISTANCE DETERMINING CHANCEMEANS BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION This invention relates to improvementsin games and particularly to games that simulate movement through space,adapted to be played by multiple players.

One object of the invention is to improve games and to obtain effectstherewith which have not resulted from games in use heretofore.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unique maneuverabilityand skill involved in the play of a game which creates a realisticillusion of space flight in a manner not heretofore obtainable.

These objects may be accomplished, according to oneembodiment of theinvention, by utilizing a playing surface, such as a game board havingholes therein spaced at regular intervals over the surface of the board,adapted to position movable game pieces simulating space ships and whichare movable from point to point. The game pieces arefpreferably ingroups,

with each group differently numbered'frorn the other groups and thegroups made up of the same number of differently colored pieces. 4

Chance devices are utilized to determine the respective movements andthe extent thereof. For this purpose, I prefer to use a numbered dice toindicate the extent of movement of a game piece and a second member,such as a cube with variously colored sides, can be utilized. toindicate the color of the game piece to be moved. Various combinationsof maneuverability and skill can be utilized with this combination ofparts.

This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which: f

FIG. I is a top plan view of a game board which may be use with thisinvention;

.FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the game pieces;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of chance devices utilized indetermining the movements of the game pieces;

FIG. 4 is a cross section through the game board, showing game pieces inplace thereon;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portion of a gameboard, showing a startingposition for one of two players;

FIG. 6 is a similar view, showing a starting position ofone of three orfour players;

FIG. 7 is a detail plan view of a portion of a game board, showing oneposition of game pieces thereon;

FIG. 8 is a similar view, showing another position of game pieces intouching relation;

FIG. 9 is a similar view, showing'aligned position of game pieces on thegame board; and

FIG. 10 is a similar view, showing a nonaligned relation of the gamepieces.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4 particularly, the game board is illustratedgenerally by the numeral 1. This game board may be formed of anysuitable or desired material and should be sufficiently light to bereadily handled. It may be plywood, fiberboard or other suitable rigidmaterial having thedesired characteristics for the purpose. I

The game board 1 is preferably square and formed with holes 2 in thesurface thereof, which holes may extend partway or entirely through theboard, as illustrated in FIG. 4. These holes are disposed substantiallyover the entire area of the board, as shown in FIG. I, and are arrangedin regular rows of an equal number, both longitudinally andtransversely. The area between the holes, except for that which extendsaround the outside portion of the board, is laid off in squares,indicated generally at 3, having diagonal lines 4 as well as theboundary lines of the squares 3, to indicate the direction of play inmovement of the game pieces between the holeslongitudinally,transversely or diagonally of the game board. The row of holes aroundthe outside edge of the board, which have no such squares or linesconnected thereto, represent a starting line for the initial positioningof the game pieces, as hereinafter described.

Game pieces are indicated generally at 5, as shown in FIG. 2. Each ofthe game pieces 5 is preferably formed of wood or plastic or othersuitable material, with a fiat body portion 6 having a depending prong 7that is shown as tapered, to be inserted into one of the holes 2, asillustrated in FIG. 4, with a relatively tight fit therein. Anupstanding vane 8 on the rearward end of the body 6 enhances the spaceship appearance of the game piece.

As shown in FIG. 4, the length of the body portion 6 from the prong 7 tothe pointed end of the body portion is slightly less than the distancebetween two of the spaced holes 2. Thus, two game pieces 5 that are notin adjacent holes will not contact each other, even though pointedtoward each other, but they will make contact if they are in adjacentholes.

The movement of the game pieces is controlled by chance devices 9 and 10which are in the form of cubes. The cube 10 may be similar to anordinary dice having markings to represent numbers from 1 to6 so as toindicate the number of positions of movement of a game piece.

The device 9 has two sets of faces, preferably opposite faces coloredthe same. For example, if red, white and blue colored pieces are used,there will be two sets of faces with those sets colored red, white andblue on the device 9.

A standard sized game would include24 game pieces, with an equal numberof the respective colors, as for example, red, white and blue. Eachnumbered group would include the same number of colored pieces. Forexample, one group would have two red, two white and two blue coloredgame pieces. The various colors in effect divide the groups into red,white and blue subgroups.

RULES FOR TWO PLAYERS One player takes one group of the space shipsnumbered 1 and 2; the other player takes the other group of the spaceships numbered 3 and 4. Each player, facing each other, places his groupof ships on the space board starting on the right-hand corner by puttinga red ship in the first hole, skipping a hole, then placing a whiteship, skipping a hole, then a blue ship. This is done again with red,white and blue space ships, until all twelve space ships in the firstrow are utilized (FIG. 5).

Each player throws the numbered dice. The player throwing the highestnumber starts the game. For example, if the red side of one dice is upand the other is number 5, he may move any of his red space ships fivespaces. The red, white and blue dice tells what color space ship may bemoved. The numbered dice tells how many spaces he may move.

The space ships may be moved in any direction along the lines of thespace board (forward, backward, sideways, or at anangle, diagonally).

There are two ways to capture the other player's space ships. The safeway is to move a space ship until it touches one of the other player'sspace ships. A player may capture any colored space ship with anycolored space ship of that player by touching. He can capture only onespace ship on each throw. For example, if he throws a 6 and needs onlyone move to capture the other playe'rs spaceship, he cannot on tocapture another space ship. However, he may use the other five moves toescape or get to a better place for his next move.

Theexciting way to capture a space ship is by taking a chance. He maycapture the same colored space ship any place on the board if he isdirectly in line with the same colored space ship of the other player.However, to do this he gives the other player the first chance (or shot)at himself. For example,if he moves one of his white space ships in line(forward, backward, sideways, or diagonally) with a white space ship ofthe other player, the other playerhas the first turn to fire animaginary rocket along the line to capture his space ship. The otherplayer does this bypointing his spacecraft directly at the other. Hethrows the dice. If the white side on the colored dice turns up, hefires animaginary rocket along the line and removes the white spaceship. When the player captures a space ship this way, he doesnt move hisspace ship,

even though he has thrown the numbered dice. lf red or blue turns up,the other player would have to move those space ships, giving him achance to throw white. However, he could block his chance by moving adifferent colored spacecraft in front of his white one. This makes thegame exciting because the player can capture another space ship all theway across the board by taking a chance.

The player should try both ways in order to figure out the best strategyor best way to capture all of the other players space ships.

The first row of holes is the home base and the players space ships aresafe and cannot be captured until they are moved into the playing area.it is a good idea, though, to move them in as soon as possible becausethey cannot be used until they are on the playing area.

There are two ways to capture the other players space ships: one, bytouching with any color; and two, by lining up the same colors andthrowing that color on the next turn.

RULES FOR THREE AND FOUR PLAYERS When there are three or four players,the same rules are followed. However, to start the game, the groups ofthe space ships are placed on the corners (see FIG. 6). Place the spaceboard down, with a corner in front of each player. Each player has sixspace ships when more than two are playing. if three are playing, leavethe space ships numbered 4 out. Each player takes all of the same numberso that they each have two red, two white and two blue space ships.

The hole in the corner is left empty and a red space ship is placed oneach side. Then skip a' space and place the whites; skip a space andplace the blues.

Even two players might like to try playing from opposite corners as achange to make the play of the game different.

One of the two ways of capturing space ships is by touching. Therefore,as the maneuvered space ships are on the board, they should be turnedaway from the other players closest ship, as in FIG. 7, whereas in FIG.8 the space ship could be captured with one less move. Once the hand istaken off of the space ship, it cannot be moved again until it is theplayers turn. This is another part of the strategy of the game. As longas he has the dice he may change the direction of any of his spaceships, but after has has taken his hand off from his last move, hisships cannot be moved. So, as a command pilot, he should check all spaceships beforethrowing.

The other way to capture a space ship is by lining up the same colorsand throwing that color on the next turn. The same color space shipsmust be lined up (pointed at each other as in FIG. 9) before theimaginary rocket can be fired. if the other player does not see that theplayer has lined up with him (as in FIG. 10), he cannot capture theplayer unless he has pointed his spaceship in the players direction. Hehas to do this before he throws. This is what makes the game excitingbecause the players should be alert or they will be outmaneuvered.

if the player throws the dice and he does not have any space ships leftof the color that he has thrown, the next player takes his turn. Thishappens towards the end of the game when most of the space ships havebeen captured. However, it add to the excitement of seeing what colorwill turn up on the dice.

The game gives the impression of space and complete freedom ofmaneuverability. It is the unique maneuverability and skill involved inthe playing of the game which creates a realistic illusion of spaceflight that has been unobtainable in other games and makes thisinteresting as a game of skill as well as amusement.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in oneembodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be madetherein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. A space game comprising a game board having indicia thereonrepresenting a playing area with regularl disposed playing positionsspaced apart in rows longitu inally and transversely of the playingarea, a plurality of visually different groups of playing pieces, eachgroup including a plurality of different pieces of like physicaldimensions and having means for visually distinguishing pieces of eachgroup from others in the group, means for anchoring the playing piecesto the board at the respective playing positions, and a plurality ofchance devices one of which has means for indicating the respectivevisual distinguishing means of the pieces to be moved and the otherhaving means for indicating the extent of movement of the respectivepieces to be moved.'

2. A space game according to claim 1, wherein the respective pieces ofeach group have different colors for distinguishing the same one fromothers in the group, and the first-mentioned chance device has means forindicating the respective colors of the playing pieces in each group tobe moved.

3. A space game according to claim 1, wherein the playing pieces of eachgroup are elongated to be aligned respectively with playing pieces ofthe opposite group, the length of each of the pieces in each groupcausing a piece of one group to contact a piece of the other group whenlocated in alignment at adjacent playing positions and out of contactwith each other when the playing pieces are in parallel relation.

4. A space game according to claim 1, wherein the playing pieces of eachgroup are of equal size and of respective pieces of different colors andcorresponding in color with the respective pieces of the other group,the chance devices comprising cubes one of which has different faceswith colors thereon corresponding with the colors of the playing piecesof both groups.

5. A space game according to claim 1, anchoring means wherein theanchoring means comprise peg holes at the playing positions in theplaying area of the game board, and pegs on the playing piecesinsertable in the holes for anchoring the playing pieces at therespective playing positions.

6. A space game comprising a game board having indicia thereonrepresenting a playing area with regularly disposed playing positionsspaced apart in rows longitudinally and transversely of the playingarea, a plurality of visually difi'erent groups of elongated playingpieces, each group including a plurality of different pieces of likephysical dimensions, all of the playing pieces of one group beingdivided into subgroups having respectively different colors and of thesame colors as the playing pieces of the other group, means foranchoring the playing pieces to the board at the respective playingpositions and for movement of the pieces of one group for alignment withcorrespondingly colored pieces of the other group or to positions out ofalignment therewith, and a pair of dice one of which has differentlycolored sides corresponding with the different colors of the playingpieces of each group to indicate the respective pieces thereof to bemoved, and the other dice having indications thereon of the extent ofmovement of the playing piece indicated for movement.

1. A space game comprising a game board having indicia thereonrepresenting a playing area with regularly disposed playing positionsspaced apart in rows longitudinally and transversely of the playingarea, a plurality of visually different groups of playing pieces, eachgroup including a plurality of different pieces of like physicaldimensions and having means for visually distinguishing pieces of eachgroup from others in the group, means for anchoring the playing piecesto the board at the respective playing positions, and a plurality ofchance devices one of which has means for indicating the respectivevisual distinguishing means of the pieces to be moved and the otherhaving means for indicating the extent of movement of the respectivepieces to be moved.
 2. A space game according to claim 1, wherein therespective pieces of each group have different colors for distinguishingthe same one from others in the group, and the first-mentioned chancedevice has means for indicating the respective colors of the playingpieces in each group to be moved.
 3. A space game according to claim 1,wherein the playing pieces of each group are elongated to be alignedrespectively with playing pieces of the opposite group, the length ofeach of the pieces in each group causing a piece of one group to contacta piece of the other group when located in alignment at adjacent playingpositions and out of contact with each other when the playing pieces arein parallel relation.
 4. A space game according to claim 1, wherein theplaying pieces of each group are of equal size and of respective piecesof different colors and corresponding in color with the respectivepieces of the other group, the chance devices comprising cubes one ofwhich has different faces with colors thereon corresponding with thecolors of the playing pieces of both groups.
 5. A space game accordingto claim 1, anchoring means wherein the anchoring means comprise pegholes at the playing positions in the playing area of the game board,and pegs on the playing pieces insertable in the holes for anchoring theplaying pieces at the respective playing positions.
 6. A space gamecomprising a game board having indicia thereon representing a playingarea with regularly disposed playing positions spaced apart in rowslongitudinally and transversely of the playing area, a plurality ofvisually different groups of elongated playing pieces, each groupincluding a plurality of different pieces of like physical dimensions,all of the playing pieces of one group being divided into subgroupshaving respectively different colors and of the same colors as theplaying pieces of the other group, means for anchoring the playingpieces to the board at the respective playing positions and for movementof the pieces of one group for alignment with correspondingly coloredpieces of the other group or to positions out of alignment therewith,and a pair of dice one of which has differently colored sidescorresponding with the different colors of the plaYing pieces of eachgroup to indicate the respective pieces thereof to be moved, and theother dice having indications thereon of the extent of movement of theplaying piece indicated for movement.